F. Montorsi et al., VELOCITY AND FLOW-VOLUME GRADIENTS ALONG THE CAVERNOSAL ARTERY - A DUPLEX AND COLOR DOPPLER SONOGRAPHY STUDY, European urology, 23(3), 1993, pp. 357-360
Duplex and color Doppler sonography were used to assess 130 impotent p
atients and 8 potent controls. Cavernosal artery diameter, peak flow v
elocity and volume flow rate were evaluated at the level of the crura
of the corpora cavernosa and 1 cm proximal to the corona penis. Potent
controls and nonarteriogenic impotent patients showed a 20% reduction
in hemodynamic parameters at the periphery of the cavernosal arterial
tree. In patients with occlusive disease, involving either the upper
arterial tree or the entire course of the cavernosal artery, the gradi
ent was maintained. In patients with selective occlusive disease of th
e distal segment of the cavernosal artery the hemodynamic gradient alm
ost doubled. Hemodynamic gradients can be identified along the caverno
sal artery and provide additional information to arteriographic data f
or the selection of candidates for penile vascular reconstructive surg
ery.